The Amazing Glass-Bottomed Boat Ride In Nebraska Will Bring Out The Adventurer In You
By Delana Lefevers|Published July 10, 2017
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Delana Lefevers
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As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
In coastal towns, glass bottom boats are popular tourist attractions that let visitors cruise around, gazing at ocean life. They’re much less popular here in the middle of the country – in fact, there’s only one in Nebraska. It’s at Fort Kearney Museum in Kearney, and it’s a picture-perfect summer destination.
This long, low building in the south end of Kearney is deceptively simple from the front. It's tidy and well kept, and the resemblance to a military building is unmissable. In a previous life, it was a military barracks building. It is not, however, associated with the nearby Fort Kearny State Historical Park.
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You might even question whether you're in the right place for a boat ride. But don't worry - this is the place. The first sign that you're in for an unconventional treat is this lovely koi pond on the side of the building.
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If you have a quarter, get a handful of food from the dispenser and throw it to the fish before you head inside. They'll swarm for it and swim all over each other in their eagerness to get a treat.
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Although this article is about the glass bottom boat ride out back, there is an entire museum full of truly fascinating artifacts from all over the world. You'll find everything from prehistoric woolly mammoth teeth that were found on site to ancient Egyptian mummies. This is one of those hidden gems that you'll be so happy you stopped to see.
You can choose to pay for admission to the museum only, the boat ride only, or both. Today, though, we're here for a cruise. Pay for your boat tickets and head out to the back of the building, where you'll pass several enclosures full of birds. Take a little stroll among them and say hello as you walk down to the dock.
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The boat you'll be riding on is something special. It was built in 1951 and is so sturdy you'll feel like you're in a houseboat. It's enclosed, so even on a hot summer day it's cool and comfortable inside.
The boat has been taking visitors out on the lake since 1968. Even if you don't typically do well on boats, you'll probably be able to handle this ride. It's gentle and slow with not much swaying.
You can tell how much love and upkeep goes into keeping her in good shape. The rich, heavy wood interior feels comforting and safe. Not only is this the only glass bottom boat ride in Nebraska; we're told it's the only one of its kind in the Midwest.
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There are long bench seats on either side of the glass viewing panel - that's real glass, the boat operator tells us. It's crystal clear, and so is the water below. You can even see tiny bubbles of pure oxygen floating up off of the plants in the lake. You might technically call it a spring-fed lake, but the water here actually seeps up from the Ogallala Aquifer below.
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The main attraction, of course, is the fish on display in the lake. Many of them follow along with the boat the entire ride, hoping for a treat. There are 14 types of fish in this eight-acre lake, which is as deep as 36 feet deep in places. Once in a while during the ride you'll hear a thunk as a fish throws its body against the boat. Don't worry - they're just reminding the boat operator to drop some treats into the water for them.
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We mostly spotted catfish and largemouth bass during the ride, but there were definitely others lurking down there in the forest of aquatic plants. The lake was first stocked with fish back in the '60s and no fishing is allowed here, so these guys are fat, happy, and really beautiful to see in their habitat. There's one monster catfish, we're told, that's 4.5 feet long and 75 pounds, but he didn't make an appearance during our ride.
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This lake started out as a gravel pit in the 1940s, owned by Johnson Sand & Gravel. The same family still owns the land today and operates the museum, boat ride, fish hatchery, and a few other endeavors. The family company is now on its fifth generation, and our friendly tour guide tells us he's been working the boat ride since he was a kid.
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If you can pry your eyes away from the fish for a while, be sure to take a look around at the lake. The shores are lush and lovely, and the water is calm and scenic.
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We spotted a few small prehistoric-looking gar near the dock when disembarking. There's another fish food dispenser down here if you want to stick around near the water for a bit and watch the fish. Or walk back up to the building and visit the gift shop to help support this delightful family business.
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The Fort Kearney Museum is open Thursday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Find it at 131 Central Ave, Kearney, NE 68847. Check out their Facebook page for more information, and be sure to stop by before their season is over this year!
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